Lifeskills: Critical car checks

Illustration for the Tribune by Casey Riordan Millard

Frequency: Check once a month, more frequently on older cars. Pop the hood and prop it up securely. Wiper fluid & coolant: These are generally in opaque plastic reservoirs with obvious markings. The tops snap off for easy refilling. Oil and transmission: Check your owner's manual to find their locations. Remove the cap or dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel, reinsert it, then withdraw it again. The "full" level is marked on the stick. Replenish fluids as necessary into the proper port, shown in your owner's manual. And if the oil or fluid is dark, they probably need to be changed. (Let a pro do it.) Engine on/off: Most fluid levels should be checked with the engine off and cold; it should be running when you check the transmission fluid. Just beware of the fan and belts.

Frequency: Check twice a year, more frequently if you use a lot of washer fluid. Ask the pro at the auto parts store which wiper model fits your car. Replace: Raise the wiper arm assembly away from the windshield, then find the mounting clip. Release the clip (a screwdriver may be needed) and the wiper will slide off the arm. Slide the new wiper into place until the mounting clip clicks, then lower the arm back against the windshield. Replace both wipers at the same time. (Change wipers, not just the blades.)

Hello, Ms. Acrylic Nails and Mr. But I'm Wearing a Nice Shirt. Did you guys know that aside from listening for thumping sounds or eyeing mysterious puddles of goo on the garage floor, there are things even the most automotively challenged car owners can do to maintain their vehicles? A little effort can keep your car safe and save money down the line. --William Hageman, Tribune Newspapers